One of the first questions many strategic planning clients have is: What is the timeline for a strategic planning process?
In practice, leaders are generally asking about two things:
- How long will the strategic planning process take?
- How long of a period should a strategic plan cover?
Let’s tackle these questions one at a time.
How Long Does a Strategic Planning Process Last?
In general, a strategic planning process should take 3-4 months, though some planning processes can take as long as a year. The length of time often depends on the complexity of the organization. A shorter timeline, however, has many benefits. It can enable leaders to focus deeply on strategy with the end goal always in sight. It can keep stakeholder engagement high. And it can help minimize dreaded “planning fatigue.”
Different consultants also use different strategic planning models and processes, which can affect the timeline. This is why it’s so important to find the right strategic planning consultant for your organization.
Are you ready to start the strategic planning process?
What is a Strategic Planning Timeline?
A strategic planning timeline is the period covered by an organization’s strategic plan. A strategic plan generally covers 3-5 years and includes the goals, strategies, and desired outcomes that an organization will achieve by the end of the timeframe. Some larger and more complex organizations may create plans for longer timelines, such as a 10-year strategic plan. While other organizations, especially those undergoing rapid shifts, may create shorter one-year plans.
Why Strategic Plans Often Cover a Timeline of 3-5 Years
For many organizations, a 3-5-year strategic plan timeline balances ambition and vision with the ability to remain agile.
With a 3-5-year timeline, an organization can envision—and achieve—ambitious goals. Yet 3-5 years is still a short enough period that an organization can pivot if conditions change dramatically. Whereas a longer timeline, such as 10 years, could leave leaders with many years of a strategic plan that no longer makes sense. But there are exceptions.
For some larger institutions, such as major universities, school districts, or government agencies, a 10-year strategic plan is more suitable. Institutions that are complex and well-established may focus on more iterative improvements—and a 10-year timeline can provide the slow, steady and strategic growth they need.
Strategic Plans Aren’t Meant to Be Static
While strategic plans give organizations a clear vision and direction over a longer-term time horizon, they aren’t meant to be static and unchanging.
Organizations don’t implement strategic plans in a vacuum. A range of factors can affect plans during implementation—from unexpected turnover in key staff roles to changes in community needs to broader economic instability. As Entrepreneur Magazine explains:
…because we live in a world that is changing faster and faster, we must adapt our plans in an agile way and harness the power of technology and systems to help us.
Remaining nimble yet grounded by a solid strategic plan, enables leaders to both navigate challenges and seize opportunities. That’s why Funding for Good encourages our clients to think of strategic plans as living documents.
Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?
When thinking in terms of strategic planning timelines, the classic interview question takes on new meaning: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
As leaders, having a 3-year or 5-year strategic plan for our organization keeps us focused on the future. And coupling this long-range strategy with clear annual plans enables us to fine-tune our implementation along the way. With these tools, we can learn and adapt without losing sight of our goals.
FAQs
In general, a strategic planning process should take 3-4 months, though some planning processes can take as long as a year. The length of time often depends on the complexity of the organization. A shorter timeline, however, has many benefits.
What is the recommended timeframe for strategic planning? ›
You should aim to create a strategic plan every three to five years, depending on your organization's growth speed. Since the point of a strategic plan is to map out your long-term goals and how you'll get there, you should create a strategic plan when you've met most or all of them.
What is a strategic planning timeline? ›
A strategic planning timeline is the time span over which your organization plans its actions to increase alignment by building a shared understanding of what has been done in the past and what is planned for the future to support your organization's mission.
What is the RFP of a strategic plan? ›
A strategic planning RFP, or request for proposals, is a brief written document that details why an organization is undertaking strategic planning, outlines the project scope and requirements, and requests that consultants submit proposals to perform the work.
What are the 5 stages of strategic planning? ›
Strategic planning process steps
- Determine your strategic position.
- Prioritize your objectives.
- Develop a strategic plan.
- Execute and manage your plan.
- Review and revise the plan.
Can a timeline for a strategic plan be as long as 10 years? ›
A strategic plan generally covers 3-5 years and includes the goals, strategies, and desired outcomes that an organization will achieve by the end of the timeframe. Some larger and more complex organizations may create plans for longer timelines, such as a 10-year strategic plan.
What is the minimum time for a strategic plan to complete? ›
In that case, you probably can create a strategic plan fairly quickly. But if you have more complexity in terms of budget, people impacted by the work, decision-making, and organizational and funding partners, you will want to allow at least four-to-six months to create a quality plan.
How long should a strategic planning session be? ›
The annual planning session is normally two to three days, while the quarterly sessions are one to two days.
What are the 5 parts of RFP? ›
5 steps to an ideal RFP process.
- Step 1: Identify stakeholders. The selection step of the RFP process isn't a one-person show. ...
- Step 2: Create a project plan and scope. ...
- Step 3: Prepare your RFP document. ...
- Step 4: Review and evaluate RFP responses. ...
- Step 5: Contract negotiation.
What are the 5 C's of strategic planning? ›
The 5 C's are company, customers, competitors, collaborators, and climate.
With these management tools providing input in real time, organizations can quickly adjust course as circ*mstances present new opportunities or threats. A simple model made up of “Four Ps” can help companies create this advantage. These Ps are Perceptions, Performance, Purpose, and Process.
What are the 7 elements of a strategic plan? ›
Here are the 7 basic elements of a strategic plan: vision, mission, SWOT analysis, core values, goals, objectives, and action plans.
What is the planning period for strategic plans? ›
The planning period for strategic plans typically used to be three to five years, but it's now common for companies to use a shorter timeframe of two to three years due to the increasing speed of change in technology and markets.
What is a typical time frame for planning? ›
A planning period of 3 to 6 months is more the norm. And if you anticipate that your planning process could take longer than 6 months, be aware that it is hard to maintain energy and enthusiasm in a long process and that you may exhaust your volunteers and your staff along the way.
What time frame do strategic plans belong to? ›
Unlike short-term operational plans, a strategic plan takes a holistic, long-term approach, and acknowledges both internal and external factors that influence the organization's success. Most strategic plans have a timeline of 1-5 years.